As much as I've come to terms with not getting into University, and as much as I love my gap year job(s) (and the money), I am still rather worried.
I don't mean worried about repeating the same 'Oh, you know... I didn't get into University' routine (although it is a recurrent nightmare of mine) - I'm worried that I'll forget how to be a student. After all, working post-A Levels is pretty easy: I have very few bills to pay and none of the stress that comes with it; my working day finishes at 3.15 and then I work part-time taking children swimming, horse riding, feeding the ducks etc and once I've finished work, my time is my own. I have no homework, my University application is done and I'm not fretting over job applications. The days of poring over textbooks until 11pm are gone. For now at least.
For some reason, I have thrown myself particularly vigorously into preparation for my Cardiff interview and it's taken some getting used to! My procrastination is worse than ever, and I'm generally very demotivated to revise (although this could be due to Xmas break). After a week or so of complaining, I've fallen back into my familiar pattern of planning my revision tasks meticulously, creating detailed notes and brainstorm diagrams that can be used right up until I am called into the interview rooms. And the reason why this is particularly bizarre behaviour is that a Cardiff interview is almost unique in that in encompasses a chat about yourself. That's it. There's no test on chemical compounds, or tricky analyses of recent news stories, or Oxbridge-style brain teasers. Cardiff are interested in finding out about you, expanding on your personal statement and hearing you speak naturally about yourself and your interests.
Of course, there's very likely to be the standard 'Why Medicine?', 'Why Cardiff?' but any medical student wannabe worth their stethoscope should have these carefully pre-prepared. (In short, Medicine is a vocation that combines science and psychology with a person-centered focus and has the common goal of bettering others' lives. Medics are constantly relearning and learning new material, as well as reflecting and increasing their personal growth to become life-long learners. Cardiff practice dissection, to me, essential for developing respect and appreciation for the physical aspects of patients. There's a nursing module in Year 2, opportunities to intercalate a degree and a Senior Clinical Project in Year 5 as well as the usual Elective.)
I've heard rumours that a basic understanding of the Welsh NHS (operates seperately but still very congruent with English NHS, free prescriptions and a reform in 2009) and knowledge of recent news articles may be important. But the vast majority is exploring the PS - of course, this has the dual function of allowing candidates to expand on topics in a way they may not have been able to on paper (e.g. my work experience at GWH and volunteering wasn't even mentioned and my recently-changed employment status may need some explaining) and sussing out candidates who may have taken a certain artistic licence with their claims.
So the next part of Operation: Interview is to go through my statement with a toothcomb, writing my own notes on how to expand each statement so I have some pre-prepared thoughts should I be asked about anything on it. For my opening 'Why I want to be a doctor?' paragraph I've brainstormed further reasons, linked these together and tried to find practical examples (such as 'I found the physiology of nerve transmission fascinating during my A Level Biology course, but even more interesting when you consider nerve function to be the root of all movement, thought, emotion, memory and unconscious responses such as breathing and blinking'). Something I was told at my practice Oxfizz interview was to develop my skill of cross-linking ideas. So when I am asked about my Extended Project on the Psychology Of Tribal Medicine, I can drop in how the contrast in atmosphere at the Prospect Hospice and local hospital (both of which I have volunteered at) produce different feelings in patients which may in turn affect their perception of their illness, much as my report suggests.
Of course, it's all well and good to practice and rehearse in my bedroom, but something quite different when you're in the actual situation... As well as nerves, interviewers can word questions unexpectedly, may push for a particular answer or challenge a point of view or may want to spend the whole 30 minutes discussing the finer details of your journey in. We'll see.
The interview is next Tuesday, and like Hull York Medical School, Cardiff aim to give out offers/rejections by the end of February. The statistics for these kind of things are always interesting - I believe there are around 3000 applicants for Cardiff's 280 places. That's a statistical chance of around 1/10 at application. Around 900 people are then interviewed, so about 3 people per place but (and this is the part people forget) around 450-500 offers are given out, increasing your chance to around 1/2. Not quite as high as HYMS' 2/3, but it's certainly a relieving thought going into interview.
Showing posts with label revision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label revision. Show all posts
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Monday, 30 May 2011
Pipe cleaners.
So this week I was thinking what to blog about this year. Ideally, I'd write about Lady Gaga - but I struggled enough making Derren Brown relevant... I suppose I could discuss hermaphrodites.
But instead of wasting revision time YouTubing Gaga's mythical penis I could write a revision blog, therefore killing two birds with one stone. I know that sounds dull but I promise you it won't be- maybe only relevant if you have exams this/next month but it should provide you with a 5 minute distraction and then a kick up the ass to open your books.
One of my pet hates is people who discuss their exam performance and say 'Yeah, but it's easy for you, you're clever!' And I guess if you define 'clever' by exam results I probably am. But it's not like I turn up the exam and go 'Oh well, let's see how I do...' In my opinion there aren't really 'clever' people- sure, some people are naturally gifted, seem to learn quickly or simply enjoy their school subjects. I get that, and I'm sure people will disagree with me, but I think getting good grades is just as much about effort as any kind of 'innate' ability.
I've always been a 'booky' child; more interested in nature documentaries than cBBC. I love learning new information, not everyone does. I'm also lucky enough to have the ability to focus and plan and commit to my studies.
And you're thinking good-for-friggin'-you. But as well as that I put a lot of work into my exams; and if you're struggling with revision it might help to know that somebody else is hating it just as much as you are, begrudging their non-exam friends just as much and snapping just as many pen nibs in revision breakdown-anger as you may be.
Basically, I'm shallow enough to judge myself as compared to other people; and I hope you are to- and this will make you persvere (or step up) your revision and we can wallow in exam success together... she hopes.
Remember those quizzes we had to complete at school, asking whether you can learn the words quickly to a new song and other tripe? And you come out with an assesment of being an 'audio, visual or kinesthetic' learner? As superficial as they sound, I think they hold some truth and can be a good guide for revision - but if you're as meticulous as me you'll want to do a bit of all three...
Reading textbooks can be dull. And useless. I always find I can recite information perfectly but struggle when it comes to applying it to exam questions etc. Over the last two years of college I've become used to what works (and what doesn't) in my exam technique. Reading definately doesn't. Writing notes in your own words is a slight step better but equally tedious. Me? I prefer to write quizzes - questions designed to test basic knowledge but maybe ask in a slightly more inverted, applied way. And then I get my boyfriend, Jordan, to test me over the phone. This probably sounds like super-geek territory but it means revision doesn't have to be confined to the desk and slightly uncomfortable office chair.
For fact-based knowledge (mathematical equations, tables/lists, graphs etc) I prefer to draw up posters. The drawing process can be useful but the really great part is the 'suggestive learning' they provide, where the brain draws in and retains information without actually processing it. What this means is you'll find you can picture specific information written on posters you've had up, despite not spending particularly long staring at it. (See my previous Derren Brown blog for some suggestion clips and you'll get a vague idea). Obviously, simple, bold information is best but it really is a useful tool. I've uploaded some pictures of my bedroom as an example... I think revision-wallpaper really is a step too far...
I'm aware that this makes me seem a little bit mental, but if it gets you a good grade it doesn't matter right?
Along with all the coloured paper and felt tip pens purchased at Hobbycraft I also had a mad urge to buy sequins, pipe cleaners, felt, glue and god only knows what else. I'm going to be one of those mothers who saves every single yoghurt pot, loo roll or milk carton for 'arts and crafts'. Unsurprisingly Biology concepts are far more easy to model out of pipe cleaners than Maths and so much of my time is spent on pipecleaner models of DNA and sequin nucleotides. Genuinely a fabulous (if time-consuming and expensive) method of understanding tricky concepts, I find it really helps to talk through (preferably to another person, or to yourself... you already seem deluded enough by making cells out of playdough) whatever it is you're making, as well as adding notes and annotations. Here's one of my prettiest efforts
And that is essentially my magic 'A grade' formula. Along with putting in Christ-only-knows how many hours.
And after all that revision? I take regular breaks watching stuff like this:
Or this:
Or this:
I've had a literal nightmare about that dog. Ask Jordan.
But instead of wasting revision time YouTubing Gaga's mythical penis I could write a revision blog, therefore killing two birds with one stone. I know that sounds dull but I promise you it won't be- maybe only relevant if you have exams this/next month but it should provide you with a 5 minute distraction and then a kick up the ass to open your books.
One of my pet hates is people who discuss their exam performance and say 'Yeah, but it's easy for you, you're clever!' And I guess if you define 'clever' by exam results I probably am. But it's not like I turn up the exam and go 'Oh well, let's see how I do...' In my opinion there aren't really 'clever' people- sure, some people are naturally gifted, seem to learn quickly or simply enjoy their school subjects. I get that, and I'm sure people will disagree with me, but I think getting good grades is just as much about effort as any kind of 'innate' ability.
I've always been a 'booky' child; more interested in nature documentaries than cBBC. I love learning new information, not everyone does. I'm also lucky enough to have the ability to focus and plan and commit to my studies.
And you're thinking good-for-friggin'-you. But as well as that I put a lot of work into my exams; and if you're struggling with revision it might help to know that somebody else is hating it just as much as you are, begrudging their non-exam friends just as much and snapping just as many pen nibs in revision breakdown-anger as you may be.
Basically, I'm shallow enough to judge myself as compared to other people; and I hope you are to- and this will make you persvere (or step up) your revision and we can wallow in exam success together... she hopes.
Remember those quizzes we had to complete at school, asking whether you can learn the words quickly to a new song and other tripe? And you come out with an assesment of being an 'audio, visual or kinesthetic' learner? As superficial as they sound, I think they hold some truth and can be a good guide for revision - but if you're as meticulous as me you'll want to do a bit of all three...
Reading textbooks can be dull. And useless. I always find I can recite information perfectly but struggle when it comes to applying it to exam questions etc. Over the last two years of college I've become used to what works (and what doesn't) in my exam technique. Reading definately doesn't. Writing notes in your own words is a slight step better but equally tedious. Me? I prefer to write quizzes - questions designed to test basic knowledge but maybe ask in a slightly more inverted, applied way. And then I get my boyfriend, Jordan, to test me over the phone. This probably sounds like super-geek territory but it means revision doesn't have to be confined to the desk and slightly uncomfortable office chair.
For fact-based knowledge (mathematical equations, tables/lists, graphs etc) I prefer to draw up posters. The drawing process can be useful but the really great part is the 'suggestive learning' they provide, where the brain draws in and retains information without actually processing it. What this means is you'll find you can picture specific information written on posters you've had up, despite not spending particularly long staring at it. (See my previous Derren Brown blog for some suggestion clips and you'll get a vague idea). Obviously, simple, bold information is best but it really is a useful tool. I've uploaded some pictures of my bedroom as an example... I think revision-wallpaper really is a step too far...
 |
| The 'Biology' wall |
 |
| Maths revision lives on the wardrobe door |
 |
| The scary thing is that this is only half finished... |
Along with all the coloured paper and felt tip pens purchased at Hobbycraft I also had a mad urge to buy sequins, pipe cleaners, felt, glue and god only knows what else. I'm going to be one of those mothers who saves every single yoghurt pot, loo roll or milk carton for 'arts and crafts'. Unsurprisingly Biology concepts are far more easy to model out of pipe cleaners than Maths and so much of my time is spent on pipecleaner models of DNA and sequin nucleotides. Genuinely a fabulous (if time-consuming and expensive) method of understanding tricky concepts, I find it really helps to talk through (preferably to another person, or to yourself... you already seem deluded enough by making cells out of playdough) whatever it is you're making, as well as adding notes and annotations. Here's one of my prettiest efforts
 |
| The process of transcription/assembling polypeptides |
And after all that revision? I take regular breaks watching stuff like this:
Or this:
Or this:
I've had a literal nightmare about that dog. Ask Jordan.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Dole.
So after the tears of rejection, the bitterness of a gap year, and the denial by writing (irrelevantly) about Derren Brown I'm finally manning up.
I'm not really one to dwell much; usually I forget that I'm supposed to be angry about ABC or that I'm ignoring DEF. I think it's kind of, well... childish?
Generally, I'd much rather get on with my life and things that are important, than cry over spilt milk. So, for now, that involves revising for my exams (dull) and lookin for jobs (frustrating) and then applying for afore mentioned job (cumbersome) by writing an interesting and potentially career-securing statement (hand-aching).
Essentially, life isn't allowed to be interesting or exciting for the next few weeks as I spend all my time perusing the NHS careers website or the local council's job vacancy page. The most exciting thing to recently happen has been a sudden acquisition of books, which unfortunately I don't currently have time to read. Among them, a book on Mental Diseases written in 1898 and a fabulous book of quotations, collaborated by the producers of QI (possibly my favourite thing ever shown on television).
So, as an excuse to read I'll be peppering this with quotations. Hopefully philosophers regularly mention the dwindling job opportunities in the NHS.
Options
My biggest worry is what universities want from a gap year. It's mostly about proving your commitment and medical interest, which is easier said than done. Whilst at school, universities can't expect students to have committed more than a few hours a week volunteering, or maybe a week or two work experience placement. But a whole year to play with? That's a lot of potential.
Half our time is spent trying to do something with the time we have rushed through life trying to save - Will Rogers
The common preconception is that gap year students go travelling. Backpack. One way ticket. Hostels. Bar work. Diphtheria. You get the picture.
Which would be perfect, except travel requires money. And money is gained through work. So, work, save, leave, right? Well, apparently nothing is hated more by application reviewers than 'I'm planning on doing this...' or 'I'm hoping to do that...' They want concrete evidence. Preferably you've already done it. Or you're submitting your statement whilst trekking through the Borneo jungle. Or at the very least booked a plane ticket.
Which is difficult, when the application is written over the summer, directly after leaving college when nobody's had a chance to make any money yet... Ah.
And on a practical note, medical interviews can range from November through to April time, with very little warning. Meaning being abroad risks a last-minute trip home for an interview. Nightmare.
Sooner or later we must realise there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip - Robert J. Hastings
Another option is work placements abroad; there's plenty of fabulous opportunities to work in schools and hospitals all across the world and reflect/contrast with the magnificant yet underappreciated institution we call the NHS. But these all cost money. Big money.
One company emailed me to ask if I was interested in their 'Gap Year Medics' scheme which sends prospective medical students to hospitals in India, Tanzania or the Caribbean islands for work experience. Places start at £990 for two weeks in India up to £2490 for four weeks in the Caribbean. Sounds like very expensive volunteering to me.
As somebody interested in Medical Anthropology (watch any of these and you'll see why) I can see the benefits of excursions like this. But unfortunately, not all of us can afford it.
You don't seem to realise that a poor person who is unhappy is in a better position than a rich man who is unhappy , because the poor person has hope. He thinks money would help. - Jean Kerr
So the only other really feasible option seems to be working. Obviously a health-related job is ideal; medical schools want students who have at least tried to understand what life as a doctor consists of.
Health jobs seem to be difficult to find - obviously many, many careers require degree-level education so they are scored out. Others accept non-qualified candidates on the condition that the relevant qualification is studied for after joining (Dental Nurses work this way for example.) Clearly most gap year students don't have the time available to commit to this.
Not everything is ruled out; common jobs for 'non-qualified' people tend to include Nursing Auxiliaries, Health Care Assistants, Phlebotomists and various technician/assistant/ward bitch roles. The other big employer tends to be care homes for care assistants and NA's.
Personally, I've developed an affinity for working with SEN children so I've also been looking into Teaching Assistant work in Special Needs schools. It appears now that jobs many people think of as 'unqualified' actually can now be studied for e.g. Teaching Assistants. And for everything else experience is nearly always essential, at the very least listed as 'desirable'.
Coupled with the factors of high numbers of unemployed graduates, NHS job cuts, increased numbers of under-18s studying NVQs and increased numbers of prospective medics taking gap years means application is looking bleak. Nearly everything I've applied for I've barely been qualified to do, and if so, experience (which is impossible for me to have) is highly desirable.
Full time healthcare employment would be ideal for me, not only for the extra income and kudos on my statement but simply I feel so motivated and energised all the time, I couldn't cope with working part-time in a retail-type role and sitting on my ass for the rest of my week.
The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity - Dorothy Parker.
And if I can't find a job..?
I'll work unpaid. And take extra hours in my retail job. And fill the rest of my time with nourishing, interesting, stimulating things. Like reading and writing and exercising.
One could even argue that unpaid work would be more appealing to an admissions tutor that being paid for it. But they would probably be the ones who are going to the Caribbean for work experience.
About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age - Gloria Pitzer
When I was a young man I observed that nine out of ten things I did were failures. I didn't want to be a failure, so I did ten times more work - George Bernard Shaw
* And if you do have any exciting and unique ideas for spending a gap year I'd be interested to know; not to steal them off of you but I do enjoy hearing good ideas
** The title of this blog is a pun. Before you ask.
I'm not really one to dwell much; usually I forget that I'm supposed to be angry about ABC or that I'm ignoring DEF. I think it's kind of, well... childish?
Generally, I'd much rather get on with my life and things that are important, than cry over spilt milk. So, for now, that involves revising for my exams (dull) and lookin for jobs (frustrating) and then applying for afore mentioned job (cumbersome) by writing an interesting and potentially career-securing statement (hand-aching).
Essentially, life isn't allowed to be interesting or exciting for the next few weeks as I spend all my time perusing the NHS careers website or the local council's job vacancy page. The most exciting thing to recently happen has been a sudden acquisition of books, which unfortunately I don't currently have time to read. Among them, a book on Mental Diseases written in 1898 and a fabulous book of quotations, collaborated by the producers of QI (possibly my favourite thing ever shown on television).
So, as an excuse to read I'll be peppering this with quotations. Hopefully philosophers regularly mention the dwindling job opportunities in the NHS.
Options
My biggest worry is what universities want from a gap year. It's mostly about proving your commitment and medical interest, which is easier said than done. Whilst at school, universities can't expect students to have committed more than a few hours a week volunteering, or maybe a week or two work experience placement. But a whole year to play with? That's a lot of potential.
Half our time is spent trying to do something with the time we have rushed through life trying to save - Will Rogers
The common preconception is that gap year students go travelling. Backpack. One way ticket. Hostels. Bar work. Diphtheria. You get the picture.
Which would be perfect, except travel requires money. And money is gained through work. So, work, save, leave, right? Well, apparently nothing is hated more by application reviewers than 'I'm planning on doing this...' or 'I'm hoping to do that...' They want concrete evidence. Preferably you've already done it. Or you're submitting your statement whilst trekking through the Borneo jungle. Or at the very least booked a plane ticket.
Which is difficult, when the application is written over the summer, directly after leaving college when nobody's had a chance to make any money yet... Ah.
And on a practical note, medical interviews can range from November through to April time, with very little warning. Meaning being abroad risks a last-minute trip home for an interview. Nightmare.
Sooner or later we must realise there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip - Robert J. Hastings
Another option is work placements abroad; there's plenty of fabulous opportunities to work in schools and hospitals all across the world and reflect/contrast with the magnificant yet underappreciated institution we call the NHS. But these all cost money. Big money.
One company emailed me to ask if I was interested in their 'Gap Year Medics' scheme which sends prospective medical students to hospitals in India, Tanzania or the Caribbean islands for work experience. Places start at £990 for two weeks in India up to £2490 for four weeks in the Caribbean. Sounds like very expensive volunteering to me.
As somebody interested in Medical Anthropology (watch any of these and you'll see why) I can see the benefits of excursions like this. But unfortunately, not all of us can afford it.
You don't seem to realise that a poor person who is unhappy is in a better position than a rich man who is unhappy , because the poor person has hope. He thinks money would help. - Jean Kerr
So the only other really feasible option seems to be working. Obviously a health-related job is ideal; medical schools want students who have at least tried to understand what life as a doctor consists of.
Health jobs seem to be difficult to find - obviously many, many careers require degree-level education so they are scored out. Others accept non-qualified candidates on the condition that the relevant qualification is studied for after joining (Dental Nurses work this way for example.) Clearly most gap year students don't have the time available to commit to this.
Not everything is ruled out; common jobs for 'non-qualified' people tend to include Nursing Auxiliaries, Health Care Assistants, Phlebotomists and various technician/assistant/ward bitch roles. The other big employer tends to be care homes for care assistants and NA's.
Personally, I've developed an affinity for working with SEN children so I've also been looking into Teaching Assistant work in Special Needs schools. It appears now that jobs many people think of as 'unqualified' actually can now be studied for e.g. Teaching Assistants. And for everything else experience is nearly always essential, at the very least listed as 'desirable'.
Coupled with the factors of high numbers of unemployed graduates, NHS job cuts, increased numbers of under-18s studying NVQs and increased numbers of prospective medics taking gap years means application is looking bleak. Nearly everything I've applied for I've barely been qualified to do, and if so, experience (which is impossible for me to have) is highly desirable.
Full time healthcare employment would be ideal for me, not only for the extra income and kudos on my statement but simply I feel so motivated and energised all the time, I couldn't cope with working part-time in a retail-type role and sitting on my ass for the rest of my week.
The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity - Dorothy Parker.
And if I can't find a job..?
I'll work unpaid. And take extra hours in my retail job. And fill the rest of my time with nourishing, interesting, stimulating things. Like reading and writing and exercising.
One could even argue that unpaid work would be more appealing to an admissions tutor that being paid for it. But they would probably be the ones who are going to the Caribbean for work experience.
About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age - Gloria Pitzer
When I was a young man I observed that nine out of ten things I did were failures. I didn't want to be a failure, so I did ten times more work - George Bernard Shaw
* And if you do have any exciting and unique ideas for spending a gap year I'd be interested to know; not to steal them off of you but I do enjoy hearing good ideas
** The title of this blog is a pun. Before you ask.
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